Mobile power supply for powered toy blocks and related apparatus

Abstract

A mobile power station assembly for powered toy blocks includes a battery housing having first and second ends with battery contacts therein, first and second connectors arranged on the first and second ends, and a switch controlling electrical power application from the battery contacts to the first and second connectors. Toy building blocks attached to the first and second connectors can receive electrical power therefrom, and can include side extensions covering opposite sides of the battery housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile power station assembly for powered toy blocks, the assembly comprising:
 a battery housing having first and second ends with battery contacts therein;   first and second connectors arranged on the first and second ends, each of the first and second connectors including a cylindrical mechanical connector with a coaxial electrical connector arranged at least partially therein, the coaxial electrical connectors being electrically connected with the battery contacts to allow formation of a complete electrical contact with a load connected to either one of the first and second connectors; and   a switch controlling electrical power application from the battery contacts to the first and second connectors.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the battery housing is elongated between the first and second ends. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of unpowered mechanical connector surfaces for toy blocks on the battery housing between the first and second ends. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein first and second portions of the plurality of unpowered mechanical connector surfaces are arranged on opposite surfaces of the battery housing. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second portions of the plurality of unpowered mechanical connector surfaces are complementary. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the battery housing further includes a removable battery compartment cover. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a control board located within the battery housing that controls electrical power application based upon a position of the switch. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the control board is configured to allow a plurality of power control schemes. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector includes a male mechanical connector and a male coaxial connector and the second connector includes a female mechanical connector and a female coaxial connector complementary with the male mechanical connector and the male coaxial connector, respectively. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a pendant attachment having a base arranged in the first connector and cord conduit through which a cord can be routed. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a first toy block connected to the first connector. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first toy block is electrically powered through the first connector. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the first toy block includes at least one side extension extending along a side of the battery housing toward the second connector. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first toy block further includes a plurality of unpowered mechanical connector surfaces located on the at least one side extension facing away from the battery housing. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one accessory block attached to the plurality of unpowered mechanical connector surfaces. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first toy block further includes at least another side extension extending along an opposite side of the battery housing toward the second connector. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a second toy block connected to the second connector. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 17 , wherein at least two side extensions extending from at least one of the first and second toy blocks completely cover opposite sides of the battery housing therebetween. 
     
     
         19 . A mobile power station assembly for powered toy blocks, the assembly comprising:
 a battery housing having first and second ends with battery contacts therein;   first and second connectors arranged on the first and second ends, each of the first and second connectors configured to supply electrical power from the battery contacts; and   first and second toy blocks connected to the first and second connectors, respectively, and receiving electrical power therefrom.   
     
     
         20 . The assembly of  claim 19 , wherein a plurality of side extensions extending from at least one the first and second toy blocks cover opposite sides of the battery housing between the first and second connectors. 
     
     
         21 . The assembly of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a plurality of unpowered mechanical connector surfaces on another side of the battery housing between the first and second ends; and   at least one accessory block connected to the battery housing by the plurality of unpowered mechanical connector surfaces.